Sculpture at Beaulieu 2023
See The Flying Machine inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings and the three-metre tall horse head Mare, made from 7,000 welded components, at this summer’s Sculpture at Beaulieu exhibition in Palace House and throughout its stunning grounds and gardens.
View photo gallery of Sculpture at Beaulieu 2023.
The display of 300 sculptures by 57 internationally-acclaimed sculptors will be on show for an extended period this year, from June 17 to September 24, with a diverse range to suit all tastes and budgets.
For 2023, there are special Thursday evening openings for Sculpture at Beaulieu viewings during July and August. Saunter through the grounds out-of-hours and you may even catch a glimpse of a sculptor at work, such as award-winning RHS Chelsea exhibitor Nicolas Moreton with his majestic figurative stone carvings. A sculpture-only ticket will provide access to the whole exhibition on a choice of five dates, from 5-8pm.
Each piece from the unique Sculpture at Beaulieu collection is set against the perfect backdrop at Beaulieu, from the atmospheric ruins of 13th century Beaulieu Abbey to the Victorian flower garden.
From steel foxgloves, toadstools, barn owls and hares to coloured glass fish and revolving stained-glass shards, there are more affordable sculptures to grace any garden.
For more show-stopping creations, James Sutton’s huge Sacrifice, in bronze with a copper circle, was created to be pinned to the side of a hill and will be displayed on a grass bank. Meanwhile, a ‘patchwork’ giant pear made from pieces of stainless steel with inlaid glass mosaic lies beneath the branches of a tree.
Featured sculptors include Ireland’s Sandra Bell with her elegant cast bronze figures, in contrast with Joanne Risley’s explosive-looking Cor-Ten steel Pollen Bomb, Astropod and Virus. Jill Berelowitz’s high-profile bronze, steel and optical resin commissions have been exhibited at Sotheby’s, Heathrow and RHS Chelsea, while fellow South African Jonty Hurwitz is recognised for his pioneering scientifically-inspired artworks and anamorphic sculptures. His red painted copper and stainless steel Rosso Horse join the more intimate display inside the ancestral Montagu home of Palace House.
Lord Montagu, who has worked with David Waghorne and Kate Kate McGovern to curate the exhibition, said: “The gardens of Palace House make an excellent backdrop for sculpture, especially as there is a variety of distinctly different areas, each with its own theme.
“Introducing sculptural elements not only enriches a walk around the gardens but also gives you reason to stop and take in the atmosphere as you admire, or puzzle over, the works on display. Smaller pieces are exhibited inside Palace House, where the period furniture and Victorian décor is enlivened by the addition of these contemporary works.”
He added: “My thanks to curators David and Kate for putting together such an interesting and varied collection, drawn from artists across Europe, the UK and even the Beaulieu Estate.”
Gary Boulton, who lives on the Beaulieu Estate, is displaying his eye-catching Mare together with Nurture, a parent and child whose bodies have been created from hammered, welded and polished stainless steel plates.
New Forest sculptor Michael Turner, who makes a trail of handmade poppies each year in aid of the Royal British Legion, is contributing creatures from a Wild Boar to Manta Ray on Wood to the exhibition.
Building on the success of two previous exhibitions, the 2023 Sculpture at Beaulieu collection will also showcase the work of Michael Scrimshaw with The Flying Machine as well as The Big Man, which has been complimented by His Majesty King Charles.
All of the sculptures are for sale, ranging from £75 to £75,000. A catalogue of the exhibition collection is available to purchase at Beaulieu’s Visitor Reception.
Sculpture at Beaulieu is included in a ticket to Beaulieu, which also gives access to the National Motor Museum with over 285 vehicles telling the story of motoring, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Secret Army Exhibition, Little Beaulieu adventure play area, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and the grounds and gardens.
For tickets and details visit https://beaulieu.contemporarysculpture.co.uk/ or call 01590 612345.
